Dr. Brown currently serves as the NASA Technical Fellow for Propulsion.

Dr. Brown began his NASA career at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1999 as an aerospace engineer in the Space Transportation Directorate, performing propulsion systems analysis and integration. Initially working design, analysis, and integration of the X-34 Main Propulsion System and the Fastrac/MC-1 rocket engine, Dr. Brown’s activities quickly expanded into a broad range of propulsion technology development efforts. Dr. Brown served as Chief Engineer for several of these efforts during both the Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Program and the Next Generation Launch Technology Program. Specific projects included Main Propulsion and Auxiliary Propulsion Systems Technology Project, and the ISTAR, Rocket Based Combined Cycle technology project. In 2005 Dr. Brown became the manager of the Propulsion Structural, Fluids and Thermal Analysis Division at MSFC, which was responsible for a variety of detailed engineering analyses supporting Space Shuttle propulsion systems, propulsion technology projects, and new propulsion development efforts. In 2007 Dr. Brown completed a developmental rotation to the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) where he served as the Acting Deputy Manager of the GRC Advanced Capabilities Project Office. Later, Dr. Brown served as the manager of the Propulsion Systems Design and Integration Division at MSFC, supporting systems level design, analysis and assessments related to safe operation of existing propulsion systems, and design, development of new propulsion elements. Most recently Dr. Brown served as a Technical Advisor to the Director of Propulsion at MSFC, where he assisted in internal technology investment planning, and served in Agency and cross government level assignments such as chair of the Green Propellant Infusion Mission Standing Review Board and representative on the Joint Army, Navy, NASA, Air Force (JANNAF) subcommittees on propulsion - Executive Committee.

Dr Brown has over 24 years of mechanical and aerospace engineering experience in thermo-fluids and propulsion. Prior to working at NASA, Dr. Brown held engineering positions at Jacobs Corporation and Sverdrup Technology. He holds a U. S. Patent and has published over 30 refereed/journal publications, book sections and conference proceedings related to fundamental combustion, advanced measurement techniques, propulsion technology and propulsion systems analysis and integration.

Dr. Brown received his doctorate and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and his bachelor's degree in physics from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.